Photo: Darnell Stapleton; Credit: Zach Goodall
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Washington Commanders are hiring Florida offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton as the team’s assistant offensive line coach, the team revealed on its official website on Thursday.
Stapleton will work alongside the Commanders’ new primary offensive line coach, Bobby Johnson, under new Washington head coach, Dan Quinn, who previously served as Florida’s defensive coordinator from 2011-12.
Stapleton’s departure from Gainesville opens one spot on Florida’s on-field coaching staff. It is unclear at this time what direction UF will move in to fill the post.
The vacated role was similar to the one Stapleton will fill in Washington, a second coaching position to oversee Florida’s offensive line, which is primarily supervised by Rob Sale, who is also the Gators’ offensive coordinator in title.
It is head coach Billy Napier who calls plays for Florida’s offense, however.
Stapleton, an original hire to Napier’s Florida coaching staff, spent two years on the job alongside Sale. The duo revitalized the Gators’ offensive line in 2022, as the unit allowed only 17 sacks and paved the way toward 5.5 yards per team rush during their debut season in Gainesville.